Khartoum: The Minister of Social Welfare and Development in Blue Nile State, Mr. Daoud Idris Daoud, held a joint meeting with a delegation from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to assess the technical and administrative arrangements for the cash transfer program focused on women and children in the region. The meeting, held at the minister's office, included key officials such as Dr. Shihab El-Din Youssef Tanfafi, Director General of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Development, Ms. Huda Daldoum Darak, Secretary of the Child Welfare Council, Ms. Noura Awadallah Eva, Deputy Director General of the Ministry, and Ms. Zahraa Al-Sanousi, Director of the Social Security and Poverty Reduction Center.
According to Sudan News Agency, the UNICEF delegation provided an extensive briefing on the cash transfer program, which was initiated in 2021 in eastern Sudan with funding from the German Development Bank. The program has shown successful outcomes and has significantly improved the living conditions of the targeted groups. Currently, the program aims to support 10,600 pregnant women in the Blue Nile region.
Professor Daoud Idris Daoud highlighted the severe challenges faced by the region due to conflicts and wars and emphasized that women are among the most impacted groups. He stressed that implementing this program is a priority to promote social stability and improve livelihoods.
Dr. Shihab El-Din Youssef, Director General of the Ministry, commended the humanitarian partners involved, noting that the program aligns with the Ministry's 2026 plan, focusing on women and the most vulnerable populations. He called for enhanced collaboration with UNICEF to create a comprehensive and accurate database, ensure the training of specialized personnel, and address operational issues related to emergency situations.
Professor Zahraa Al-Sanousi, Director of the Social Security and Poverty Reduction Center, discussed key challenges in the program's implementation, particularly in upgrading the center's technical systems and adapting to the demands of digital transformation.